Africa's Great Civilizations

Africa's Great Civilizations

Ended First aired 27/Feb/2017 United States English 1 season(s) 6 episode(s)
Documentary
Henry Louis Gates Jr. takes a look at the history of Africa, from the birth of humankind to the dawn of the 20th century. A breathtaking and personal journey through two hundred thousand years of history, from the origins, on the African continent, of art, writing and civilization itself, through the millennia in which Africa and Africans shaped not only their own rich civilizations, but also the wider world.
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TimeScore 33% Skip It
Binge Meter 48% Slow Burn
Episode Pulse Quiet 40% activity score
Drop Rate 0% Very Low

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Seasons & Episodes

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Season 1 · Miniseries
6 episode(s) · Air date: 26/Feb/2017
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Season Overview

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S1E6
Clash of Civilizations
Air date: 01/Mar/2017 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 53 min
Summary

Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores the dynamism of 19th century Africa, the “scramble” by European powers for its riches, and the defiant and successful stand of un-colonized Ethiopia.

Summary

Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores the dynamism of 19th century Africa, the “scramble” by European powers for its riches, and the defiant and successful stand of un-colonized Ethiopia.

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S1E5
The Atlantic Age
Air date: 01/Mar/2017 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 53 min
Summary

Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores the impact of the Atlantic trading world, giving rise to powerful new kingdoms, but also transatlantic slave trade. Learn of the revolutionary movements of the 18th and early 19th centuries, including the advent of the Sokoto Caliphate.

Summary

Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores the impact of the Atlantic trading world, giving rise to powerful new kingdoms, but also transatlantic slave trade. Learn of the revolutionary movements of the 18th and early 19th centuries, including the advent of the Sokoto Caliphate.

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S1E4
Cities
Air date: 28/Feb/2017 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 53 min
Summary

Gates explores the power of Africa’s greatest ancient cities, including Kilwa, Great Zimbabwe and Benin City, whose wealth, art and industrious successes attracted new European interest and interaction along the continent’s east and west coasts.

Summary

Gates explores the power of Africa’s greatest ancient cities, including Kilwa, Great Zimbabwe and Benin City, whose wealth, art and industrious successes attracted new European interest and interaction along the continent’s east and west coasts.

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S1E3
Empires of Gold
Air date: 28/Feb/2017 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 53 min
Summary

Henry Louis Gates Jr. uncovers the complex trade networks and advanced educational institutions that transformed early north and west Africa from deserted lands into the continent’s wealthiest kingdoms and learning epicenters.

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Henry Louis Gates Jr. uncovers the complex trade networks and advanced educational institutions that transformed early north and west Africa from deserted lands into the continent’s wealthiest kingdoms and learning epicenters.

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S1E2
The Crescent and the Cross
Air date: 27/Feb/2017 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 53 min
Summary

Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. charts the ancient rise of Christianity and Islam, whose economic and cultural influence stretched from Egypt to Ethiopia. Learn of African religious figures like King Lalibela, an Ethiopian saint, and Menelik, bringer of the Ark of the Covenant.

Summary

Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. charts the ancient rise of Christianity and Islam, whose economic and cultural influence stretched from Egypt to Ethiopia. Learn of African religious figures like King Lalibela, an Ethiopian saint, and Menelik, bringer of the Ark of the Covenant.

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S1E1
Origins
Air date: 27/Feb/2017 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 53 min
Summary

Journey with Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. to Kenya, Egypt and beyond as he discovers the origins of man, the formation of early human societies and the creation of significant cultural and scientific achievements on the African continent.

Summary

Journey with Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. to Kenya, Egypt and beyond as he discovers the origins of man, the formation of early human societies and the creation of significant cultural and scientific achievements on the African continent.

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Cast

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Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Self - Presenter
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Richard Leakey
Self
John Hawks
John Hawks
Self

Crew

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Karen McGann
Director
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Mark Bates
Director, Producer
Virginia Quinn
Virginia Quinn
Director, Producer
Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Writer

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